Idioms are special phrases that mean something different from the exact words you read. People use idioms to make their speaking and writing more colorful and fun. In this article, you will learn many idioms related to relaxing. These phrases will help you talk about resting, taking a break, and feeling calm.
In this lesson, we will look at idioms that mean slowing down and resting. Let us get started and explore some of these helpful expressions.
Idioms for Relaxing
1. Kick back
Definition: This means to stop working and rest in a comfortable way.
Used in a Sentence: I cannot wait to go home and kick back on the couch. / We decided to kick back and watch a funny movie.
Similar Expressions: Relax completely / Rest your body
2. Put your feet up
Definition: This means to sit or lie down and rest after a busy time.
Used in a Sentence: You worked very hard today, so you should put your feet up. / She likes to put her feet up and read a book after school.
Similar Expressions: Take a rest / Sit down
3. Take it easy
Definition: This means to relax and avoid doing hard work or getting upset.
Used in a Sentence: The doctor told him to take it easy for a few days. / We are just going to take it easy this weekend.
Similar Expressions: Rest up / Stay calm
4. Chill out
Definition: This is a popular way to say calm down or relax completely.
Used in a Sentence: My brother needs to chill out before he gets too angry. / We love to chill out at the park on sunny days.
Similar Expressions: Calm down / Relax yourself
5. Let your hair down
Definition: This means to behave in a free and relaxed way without worrying.
Used in a Sentence: The party is a great place to let your hair down and dance. / She finally let her hair down after the big test was over.
Similar Expressions: Be free / Have fun
6. Catch some Zs
Definition: This is a funny way to say you are going to get some sleep.
Used in a Sentence: I am very tired and need to catch some Zs before dinner. / He tried to catch some Zs on the long airplane ride.
Similar Expressions: Get some sleep / Take a nap
7. Take a breather
Definition: This means to stop what you are doing for a short rest.
Used in a Sentence: The basketball players took a breather during the game. / Let us take a breather before we finish cleaning the room.
Similar Expressions: Pause for a minute / Rest briefly
8. Recharge your batteries
Definition: This means to rest so you can get your energy back.
Used in a Sentence: A quiet weekend at home is a good way to recharge your batteries. / She went on vacation to recharge her batteries.
Similar Expressions: Get energy back / Refresh yourself
9. Take a load off
Definition: This means to sit down and relax when you are very tired.
Used in a Sentence: Come inside, sit in this chair, and take a load off. / He took a load off after carrying the heavy boxes.
Similar Expressions: Sit down / Rest your legs
10. Cool your jets
Definition: This means to calm down when you are feeling rushed or excited.
Used in a Sentence: You need to cool your jets and wait for your turn. / The teacher told the noisy students to cool their jets.
Similar Expressions: Calm down / Be patient
11. Loosen up
Definition: This means to stop being stiff or worried and start relaxing.
Used in a Sentence: You will enjoy the game more if you just loosen up. / He did some stretching to loosen up before the race.
Similar Expressions: Relax your muscles / Stop worrying
12. Hang loose
Definition: This means to stay calm and not let things bother you.
Used in a Sentence: Just hang loose and everything will be fine. / We decided to hang loose at the beach all day.
Similar Expressions: Stay relaxed / Go easy
13. Go with the flow
Definition: This means to relax and accept things as they happen instead of fighting them.
Used in a Sentence: When the rain ruined our picnic, we just had to go with the flow. / It is easier to go with the flow than to worry about every detail.
Similar Expressions: Accept things / Stay easygoing
14. Clear your head
Definition: This means to stop thinking about your worries so you can feel calm again.
Used in a Sentence: A walk in the woods always helps me clear my head. / She listened to music to clear her head after a busy day.
Similar Expressions: Think clearly / Relax your mind
15. Catch your breath
Definition: This means to rest for a moment after doing something very active.
Used in a Sentence: I need to catch my breath after running up those stairs. / We stopped halfway up the hill to catch our breath.
Similar Expressions: Stop panting / Rest a moment
16. Have a lie in
Definition: This means to stay in bed longer than usual in the morning.
Used in a Sentence: On Saturday mornings, my parents let me have a lie in. / He had a lie in because he stayed up late the night before.
Similar Expressions: Sleep late / Stay in bed
17. Catch forty winks
Definition: This is a playful way to say you are taking a very short sleep.
Used in a Sentence: Grandpa likes to catch forty winks in his favorite chair. / I am going to catch forty winks before my friends arrive.
Similar Expressions: Take a short nap / Sleep a little bit
18. Hit the hay
Definition: This means to go to bed so you can sleep and rest.
Used in a Sentence: It is getting late, so I think I will hit the hay. / The farmers hit the hay early because they wake up at dawn.
Similar Expressions: Go to sleep / Go to bed
19. Hit the sack
Definition: This is another way to say you are going to bed for the night.
Used in a Sentence: After studying for three hours, she was ready to hit the sack. / We usually hit the sack around nine o’clock.
Similar Expressions: Turn in / Go to sleep
20. Sleep like a log
Definition: This means to sleep very deeply and peacefully without waking up.
Used in a Sentence: I was so tired after swimming that I slept like a log. / The baby slept like a log through the loud thunderstorm.
Similar Expressions: Sleep soundly / Sleep heavily
21. Put your mind at rest
Definition: This means to stop worrying about a problem so you can relax.
Used in a Sentence: Finding my lost keys finally put my mind at rest. / A quick phone call to her mom put her mind at rest.
Similar Expressions: Stop worrying / Feel peaceful
22. Stop and smell the roses
Definition: This means to slow down and enjoy the good parts of life instead of rushing.
Used in a Sentence: You work too much and need to stop and smell the roses. / We took a walk just to stop and smell the roses.
Similar Expressions: Enjoy life / Slow down
23. Take five
Definition: This means to take a quick five-minute break from whatever you are doing.
Used in a Sentence: The director told the actors to take five. / Let us take five before we finish painting the wall.
Similar Expressions: Take a short break / Pause briefly
24. Rest easy
Definition: This means to stop worrying because everything is going to be okay.
Used in a Sentence: You can rest easy knowing that the dog is safe inside. / I rest easy when I have finished all my homework.
Similar Expressions: Feel secure / Relax completely
25. Breathe a sigh of relief
Definition: This means to let out a deep breath because you are no longer worried or stressed.
Used in a Sentence: We breathed a sigh of relief when we passed the difficult test. / He breathed a sigh of relief after finding his wallet.
Similar Expressions: Feel relieved / Let go of worry
26. Mellow out
Definition: This means to become much more calm and peaceful.
Used in a Sentence: As he grew older, the energetic puppy began to mellow out. / Listening to soft jazz helps me mellow out.
Similar Expressions: Calm down / Become relaxed
27. Take a chill pill
Definition: This is a funny way to tell someone who is angry or anxious to calm down.
Used in a Sentence: You are getting too upset about a game, just take a chill pill. / My sister told me to take a chill pill when I could not find my shoes.
Similar Expressions: Calm down / Relax yourself
28. Wind down
Definition: This means to slowly relax after a period of excitement or hard work.
Used in a Sentence: Reading a quiet story helps children wind down before bed. / I like to wind down with a warm cup of tea.
Similar Expressions: Relax slowly / Settle down
29. Veg out
Definition: This means to relax in a lazy way, often by doing nothing or just watching television.
Used in a Sentence: After a long week, I just want to veg out on the sofa. / We spent the whole rainy afternoon vegging out.
Similar Expressions: Do nothing / Be lazy
30. Be a couch potato
Definition: This describes someone who spends a lot of time sitting and watching television.
Used in a Sentence: During the winter break, I can be a bit of a couch potato. / Do not be a couch potato today, come play outside with us.
Similar Expressions: Be lazy / Sit around
31. Turn in
Definition: This means to go to bed at the end of the day.
Used in a Sentence: I am very sleepy, so I am going to turn in early tonight. / They usually turn in right after the evening news.
Similar Expressions: Go to sleep / Hit the bed
32. Rest your eyes
Definition: This is a gentle way to say you are going to close your eyes and take a very short nap.
Used in a Sentence: I am not sleeping, I am just resting my eyes for a minute. / Grandpa likes to sit on the porch and rest his eyes.
Similar Expressions: Take a quick nap / Close your eyes
33. Soak up the sun
Definition: This means to sit or lie in the sunlight and enjoy its warmth to relax.
Used in a Sentence: We went to the beach just to soak up the sun. / The cat loves to sleep by the window and soak up the sun.
Similar Expressions: Sunbathe / Enjoy the sunshine
34. Take a time out
Definition: This means to step away from a busy situation to rest and think.
Used in a Sentence: When I feel angry, I take a time out in my room. / The manager told the tired team to take a time out.
Similar Expressions: Take a break / Step away
35. Blow away the cobwebs
Definition: This means to do something fresh and active to help your mind feel awake and clear.
Used in a Sentence: A walk in the cool morning air will blow away the cobwebs. / We went for a bike ride to blow away the cobwebs.
Similar Expressions: Clear your mind / Wake up fully
36. Get some shut eye
Definition: This is a simple phrase that means getting some sleep.
Used in a Sentence: You look very tired and need to get some shut eye. / I hope to get some shut eye on the bus ride home.
Similar Expressions: Go to sleep / Get some rest
37. Let off steam
Definition: This means to do something active or fun to get rid of strong feelings or extra energy.
Used in a Sentence: The children ran around the playground to let off steam. / Playing a loud video game helps him let off steam.
Similar Expressions: Release energy / Relax after stress
38. Sit back
Definition: This means to relax and let other people do the work or let things happen.
Used in a Sentence: Just sit back and enjoy the magic show. / We can finally sit back now that the project is finished.
Similar Expressions: Relax in a chair / Rest easy
39. Laze around
Definition: This means to relax and enjoy doing nothing special.
Used in a Sentence: On summer days, we love to laze around by the pool. / It feels good to laze around the house in comfortable clothes.
Similar Expressions: Be lazy / Do nothing
40. Take the edge off
Definition: This means to make you feel a little less stressed, tired, or hungry.
Used in a Sentence: Drinking hot cocoa helps take the edge off a cold winter day. / A quick nap will take the edge off your tiredness.
Similar Expressions: Reduce stress / Ease discomfort
41. Pace yourself
Definition: This means to do things at a slow and steady speed so you do not get too tired.
Used in a Sentence: You have a long day ahead, so remember to pace yourself. / The runner had to pace himself to finish the long race.
Similar Expressions: Go slowly / Save your energy
42. Switch off
Definition: This means to stop paying attention to work or problems so you can truly rest.
Used in a Sentence: When I go on vacation, I completely switch off from my job. / It is hard to switch off when your phone keeps ringing.
Similar Expressions: Stop thinking / Disconnect from work
43. Count sheep
Definition: This is an imaginary game you play in your mind to help you fall asleep when you cannot relax.
Used in a Sentence: I could not sleep last night, so I tried to count sheep. / She had to count sheep for an hour before finally resting.
Similar Expressions: Try to sleep / Help yourself sleep
44. Out like a light
Definition: This means to fall asleep very quickly because you are so tired and relaxed.
Used in a Sentence: As soon as his head hit the pillow, he was out like a light. / The baby was out like a light after drinking her milk.
Similar Expressions: Fall asleep fast / Sleep instantly
45. Have a cat nap
Definition: This means to take a very short and light sleep during the day.
Used in a Sentence: I usually have a cat nap in the afternoon to get my energy back. / She felt much better after having a quick cat nap.
Similar Expressions: Take a short sleep / Rest lightly
46. Idle away the hours
Definition: This means to spend time relaxing in a lazy and pleasant way.
Used in a Sentence: We decided to idle away the hours sitting by the river. / He likes to idle away the hours playing the guitar.
Similar Expressions: Pass the time slowly / Relax for hours
47. While away the time
Definition: This means to spend time doing something pleasant and easy while waiting or relaxing.
Used in a Sentence: She chose to while away the time reading a fun magazine. / They whiled away the time talking on the porch.
Similar Expressions: Pass the time / Relax quietly
48. Catch some rays
Definition: This is a fun way to say you are going outside to sit in the sunshine.
Used in a Sentence: We went to the park to catch some rays and have a picnic. / He put on his sunglasses to catch some rays by the pool.
Similar Expressions: Get some sun / Sunbathe
49. Let the dust settle
Definition: This means to wait for a confusing or busy situation to calm down before doing anything else.
Used in a Sentence: Let the dust settle from the argument before you try to talk to him again. / We will make a new plan once we let the dust settle.
Similar Expressions: Wait for calm / Let things cool down
50. Take a step back
Definition: This means to pause and look at a situation calmly instead of rushing into it.
Used in a Sentence: Sometimes you need to take a step back and see the good things in your life. / When the puzzle got too hard, she decided to take a step back and rest.
Similar Expressions: Pause and think / Look calmly
Exercise to Practice
- True or False: If you are very tired from playing all day, you should kick back and watch a movie.
- True or False: When my dad tells me to go out and hit the hay, he wants me to punch a pile of grass.
- True or False: A great way to catch some Zs is to lie down in your comfortable bed with a blanket.
- True or False: If you are jumping around the room feeling angry, your teacher might ask you to take a chill pill.
- True or False: My brother loves to be a couch potato by running five miles every single morning.
- True or False: When the race is over, runners often need to catch their breath.
- True or False: You should stop and smell the roses if you want to run as fast as you can to win a prize.
- True or False: Sleeping like a log means you keep waking up every five minutes because you are scared.
- True or False: We decided to soak up the sun by staying inside a dark closet all afternoon.
- True or False: If your brain is tired from math homework, it is smart to take five and get a drink of water.
- True or False: Going to a loud concert is a perfect way to catch forty winks.
- True or False: Let your hair down means you should feel free, happy, and relaxed at the party.
- True or False: When we idle away the hours, we are rushing to finish our chores as fast as possible.
- True or False: Taking a time out is a good way to step away and calm down when you feel upset.
- True or False: When someone tells you to cool your jets, they want you to talk louder and run faster.
Answer Key
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
- False
- False
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
Conclusion
Learning these idioms is a wonderful way to improve your English skills and sound more natural when you speak. When you understand these phrases, reading books and listening to conversations becomes much easier. They help you express your feelings of tiredness, calmness, and peace.
We encourage you to try using a few of these expressions in your daily life. The next time you are feeling tired after a busy day, tell your family you are going to catch some Zs or take a load off. Practicing them out loud will help you remember them forever.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common idioms for relaxing?
Many common idioms for relaxing talk about resting your body or getting sleep. Phrases like kicking back, catching some Zs, and taking it easy are used by people every day to describe calming down.
Why do people use idioms when talking about rest?
People use these special phrases because they make everyday conversations more interesting. Saying you want to hit the hay sounds more fun and colorful than simply saying you want to go to sleep.
Can I use these idioms in school writing?
It is perfectly fine to use idioms in creative writing like stories or personal essays to make them sound natural. However, for strict science reports or very serious papers, it is usually better to use exact words instead of idioms.
How can I remember so many new idioms?
The best way to remember them is to choose two or three favorites and practice using them with your friends. You can also write down example sentences in a notebook and read them when you want to take a break.
Do all English speakers use these exact idioms?
Most English speakers understand these common expressions, but some phrases might be more popular in certain places. For example, people in different towns might have their own special ways of saying they want to relax.
